Spike Lee — like all celebrity artists who have hit up their fans on Kickstarter to fund new works — has been levied with a fair share of criticism for using a crowdfunding platform, best known for helping the underdogs make their dreams into realities, to raise $1.25 million for “The Newest Hottest Spike Lee Joint.” With a month left to go to reach his goal, Lee appeared on Bloomberg’s business news show “Smart Street” to build awareness. Instead, he was forced to defend himself after host Trish Regan opened the segment by asking what “an Oscar nominated director like Spike Lee with a lot of money” is doing on Kickstarter.

“First of all, you don’t know how much money I have,” Lee shot back. “You’ve never seen me before in your life.”

He later goes on, after defending his project and method of getting it made, to call Regan a “hater.” “Don’t worry about haters like her,” he says. “We’re going to get this. You cannot be for my film if you open the segment like that. That was pure hate.”

While we totally see the validity in Regan’s criticisms, we’re not so sure her opening was the best way to open up an honest conversation. What are your thoughts after viewing the video?